Matthew Progress – “God Made Dirt”

Toronto artist Matthew Progress has just dropped his highly anticipated debut album, God Made Dirt, via Pirates Blend Records. This full-length project arrives after nearly a decade of short-form releases and singles, signifying a major moment for an artist who’s music and artistry stands out boldly in comparison to the sounds bubbling out of the Toronto underground hip-hop scene. The album truly embodies Matthew’s unique style—it’s adventurous, unfiltered, and authentically his own.

Collaborating entirely with Dan Only (producer for River Tiber and a l l i e), God Made Dirt draws from a diverse pot of musical influences spanning abstract hip-hop, punk, electronica, trap, funk, and psychedelia. Thematically, God Made Dirt dives deep into a series of abstract concepts—nihilism, cosmic exploration, authority, and the interplay between the divine and primal instincts. It’s a sonic journey through ominous and gritty back drops that challenges listeners to truly reflect on the music they’re taking in.

Speaking on the album’s significance, Matthew shares, “This album encapsulates all my interests, ideas, artistic influences, trauma, and healing from the past few years. In a world feeling more dystopian than ever, these nine tracks document that feeling. Dan Only and I created an LP we’re immensely proud of. This is, without a doubt, my most significant creation to date.”